Combination washer-drier timer control mechanism



Oct. 4, l960 2,954,688

COMBINATION WASHER-BRIEN TIMER CONTROL MECHANISM T. R. SMITH Filed Aug..11, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Miam/fur? 6 2mm Oct. 4, 1960 T. R. SMITH2,954,688

COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER TIMER CONTROL MECHANISM Filed' Aug. 11, 1959 3Sheets-Sheet 2 2,954,688 COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER TIMER CONTROLMECHANISM Filed Aug. ll, 1959 T. R. SMITH 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 4, 1960United States Patent@ 'COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER TIIVIER CONTROLMECHANISM Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company,Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 11, 1959, Ser. No.832,985

2 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) This invention relates to a single timer controlmechanism capable of actuating at least two separate electrical circuitsand operable to control and vary the timed actuation of one circuit withrespect to the other. It particularly relates to a control for acombination washer-drier unit capable of washing and drying clothes inthe same container and in which the drying operation automaticallyfollows the washing operation without requiring further attention of theoperator of the unit once the unit is preset and started.

In controlling the operation of a combination washerdrier unit attemptshave been made to combine the controls common to the conventional washerwith those controls common to the automatic clothes drier. The resulthas been a water temperature control for the automatic washer unit, atemperature control for the drier unit and a timer mechanism for each ofthe washing and drying circuits. In this type of arrangement the driertimer control is preset so as to start in operation automatically uponthe termination of the washing cycle, and at the termination of thedrying cycle the entire machine is shut down by the actuation ofcontrols driven by the drier timer control.

It is an object of this invention to eliminate one of the two timercontrols and to provide a single timer for controlling the entirewashing and drying operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a single timer controlcapable of regulating the timed interval between the actuation of twoseparate programmed electrical circuits.

A further object is to provide a single timer control for a combinationwasher-drier unit so as to vary the duration of or to completelyeliminate either ofthe wash or dry periods.

r Referring now to the drawings:

Figure l shows a top plan View of a combination timer controlconstructed according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a Vertical cross section through line 2 2 ,of Figure lshowing the relative position of the actuating cams with respect totheir driving mechanism and control 'kno-bs.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 showingthe relative position of one of the switch followers with respect to itsactuating cam mechanism.

vFigure 4 shows a combinationV washer-drier schematic Vwiring diagram(left side of ligure) together with the control cams (right side offigure) for the actuation of the tvarious circuits as diagrammaticallyillustrated by the developments of the respective control cams (centerof 4figure).

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 for an explanation of my invention,there is shown diagrammatically a clock timing motor which drivesthrough and is attached to speed reducing unit 11 which in turn drivesthrough aconventional one-way clutch or a friction clutch (not shown)within unit 11 before terminating in driven shaft `12and pinion 13.Tubularspacing members 15 abutting ICC the respective 'top and bottomplates 16 and 17 together with insulated terminal boards 18 and 19 forma partially enclosed housing for the control unit and are held togetherby bolts 21 which pass through top plate 16, tu'- bular spacing members15, bottom plate 17 and screw into the housing of speed reducing unit11. The entire unit thus formed may be readily attached to thecombination washer and drier cabinet 22 or other types of control panelsby screws or bolts fastened directly to top of plate 16 or by fasteners23 threaded directly into the heads of bolts 21 as shown.

Bottom plate 17 is equipped with a thrust bearing 24 for inner shaft 25which with its surrounding concentric shaft 26 passes upwardly throughcabinet opening 27 before terminating into the control knob :structuregenerally indicated by the numeral 28. Spring clip 29 carried annularrecess 30 of outer shaft 26 abuts cabinet 22 to prevent axial movementof that shaft towards cabinet 22 while shoulder 31 formed integrallywith or formed from a sleeve fastened to inner shaft 25 prevents axialmovement of this outer shaft in the opposite direction. Axial movementof inner shaft 25 is limited in one direction by shoulder 31, shaft 26and spring clip 29` while being limited in the opposite direction bythrust bearing 24. Drier knob 32 is securely attached to inner shaft 25by means of a set screw 33 accessible through opening 37 while washerknob 34 is fastened to outer concentric shaft 26 by means of set screw36 accessible through opening 38.

Loosely surrounding inner shaft 25 between drier knob 32 and washer knob34 is a resilient spring washer 35 having an undulant periphery andproviding a friction coupling between knobs 32 andl 34. Through the useof coupling washer 35 any rotation of knob 32 will produce a likerotation of knob 34. Likewise, rotation of knob 34 will produce asimilar rotation of knob 32. However, if one of the two knobs isrestrained against rotation, the other knob' may be easily turnedagainst the restraining action of washer 35 to provide a change inangular displacement between shafts 25 and 26.

In the present invention each knob and its respective shaft is designedto regulate or control a separate circuit or groups of circuits. In thisparticular embodiment of my invention cams 41, 42, 43 and 44 aresecurely attached to outer concentric shaft 216 and serve as actuatingcams for various washing circuits. Also attached to outer concentricshaft 26 is gear 45 which meshes with pinion 13 to provide a drive forshaft 26 and .its inner shaft 25 through spring clutch 35. Theattachment of gear 45 to inner shaft 25 rather than to outer shaft 26 torotate all control cams and knob structure 28 would be an alternativeconstruction not in contlict with the teaching of my invention. Cams 46and 47 are securely fastened to inner shaft 25 and serve to actuate thedrying circuits. It should be noted at this point that while pinion 13may drive outer concentric shaft 26 and its cams 41, 42, 43 and 44 inunison with inner shaft 25 and its cams 46 and 47, the angularrelationship between the washer cams 41 et seq. and drier cams 46 and 47may easily be changed to vary the timed interval between the actuationof the cam followers for the two groups of cams. It will be apparent ashereinafter explained that such a variation also produces a likevariation between the programmed operation of the respective washer anddrier circuits.

Each of the washer and drier cams actuates one of the respective springcam followers 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 which are attached to insulatingterminal board 19 and are spring urged towards the center of rotation ofAthe cams. Each of the cam followers 51 et-seq. extends beyond the axisof its actuating cam and carries at its free end a double contactforming part of either a two or three-position switch for the actuationof the respec 3 tive washer and drier circuits. Though shown as attachedto terminal board 19 only, cam followers 51 et seq. may be fastened toboth terminal boards 18 and 19in an alternating relationshipprovided-that the cams, followers and switch structure affected areconstructed to compensate for this 180 change in the positioning of thecam followers.

Figure 3 shows a detailed structural arrangement of three-positionswitch 58. Switch 58 is formed from the stationary'contacts 58a and 58bfastened on insulating board 18 together with contact 58C carried on camfollower 51. Cam follower 51 rides on the three separate elevationsprovided on cam 41 to actuate switch contact 58C into the top positionas shovm in full lines in Figure 3 or in the bottom position as shown indotted lines in the same figure or in an intermediateposition betweenthese twoextreme positions. V

One embodiment of a wiring diagram for a combination washer-drier unitwhich may be controlled by the timer unit is shown in Figure 4. Washercams 41, 42, 43 and 44 together with drier cams 46 and 47 appear at theright side of Figure 4. All cams are shown aligned in their Startposition and are shown as each would be separately viewed from thebottom of Figure 2. The intermediate portion of Figure 4 represents adevelopment of each of. the respective cams as each of these cams isrotated in a counter-clockwise position past the start reference line inFigure 4. The depending tongues of spring cam followers 51, 52, 53, 54,55 and 56 are diagrammatically shown as contacting the developed surfaceof the respective cams. Each of the three-position switches 58, 59, 60and 61, as well as the two-position switches 62 and63, is directlycontrolled by its respective cam follower.

The wiring diagram shown on the left side of Figure 4 is designed for acombination washer-drier unit providing a choice of hot or Warm water inthe washing Vcycles by means of the conventional water ll solenoids 66and 67 through selector switch 68. The unit is also provided with theconventional water level switch 69 (shown in the Full position) forenergizing either of the solenoids 66 or 67 through contacts 58a and 58Cof switch 58.

Drain solenoid 71 for moving a conventional drain valve (not shown) toits open position to drain the combination machine of all fluids isconnected to the neutral wire N of the conventional Edison three-wirecircuit having a potential of 230 volts between the conductors L1 and L2and a potential of 115 volts between either conductor L1 or L2 and the4neutral conductor N. Drain lsolenoid 71 is energized by the making ofcontacts 59b and 59aI of switch 59 to connect the opposite side ofsolenoid 71 to line L2.

Spin solenoid 72 which releases the conventional brake on the rotatabletub of the combination unit is energized only when centrifugal switch 73of drive motor 74 is moved to its alternate position from the Startposition shown in Figure 4. In addition, contacts 60h and 60e of switch60 must be in electrical connection before spin solenoid 72 will beenergized. Drive motor 74 and timer motor are initially energizedthrough neutral wire N and line L2 when water level switch 69 respondsto the desired water level within the unit and moves from Empty into theFull position shown in Figure 4. v The combination washer-drier unitincorporating the illustrative circuit of Figure 4 utilizes the watercondenser principle to remove evaporated moisture from within the unitthough a blower system may yalso be used without departing from theteaching of my invention. Water condenser solenoid 76, which controls anexternal valve (not shown) to provide a vapor condensing film of coolwater within the combination unit, is energized through neutral wire Nand line L2 by means of contacts 62h and 62C of switch 62 and contacts60a and 60C of switch 60.

l4 from the fabrics during the drying cycle is connected in series withtemperature limiting thermostat 78 across lines L1 Yand L2 through relayswitches 79 and S0. Switches 79 and 80 isolate both sides of heatingelement 77 from the remainder of circuit and are mechanically controlledby the solenoid armature of heater relay coil 75 which in turnisenergized through contacts -63b and 63C as well contacts `60a and 60C.This circuit construction not only isolates the heating unit 77 from thetimer control, but also permits the use of a smaller timer mechanism oflower current carrying capacity for the combination unit.

It should be noted that whileV a reduction of lthe drying period by anlamount equal to or greater than the Washing period may close switches-62 and y631 in the circuits of solenoids 76 and 75 and that neither ofthese last named circuit components will be energized until the highestperipheral portion of cam 43 has passed the Start reference line ofFigure-4 (at the end of the washing 1 operation) to prevent solenoid 76and heating unit 77 Heating element 77 used to evaporate the moisture 75from ever operating during the washing cycles.

For illustrative purposes a 120 minute timer driven by timer motor 10 isused to sequentially actuate the electrical circu-itsschematically shownat the left of Figure 4 over a predetermined number of fabrictreatmentintervals as indicated in the central portion of Figure 4. Aseries of wash, drain, spin and rinse periods comprise the entirewashing cycles while a minute fluff dry period together with a tiveminute cooling period completes the drying cycle. A reset portionequivalent to a ten minute interval of rotation of the timer provides anOff position in which all of switches 58 et seq. are in theirintermediate positions.

In the operation of my invention as embodied in a combinationwasher-drier unit and without relative rotation 0f the wash cams withrespect to the drier cams, a counter-clockwise rotation of all cams pastthe Start reference line of Figure 4 moves the respective cam followersfrom the OE position to the ten minute Wash position and causes contacts58a and 58e to make an electrical connection through switch 58. Thiscompletes an electrical circuit from neutral wire N through one of theselected ll solenoids 66 or 67 through water selector switch 68 throughcontacts 58a and 58e and through the alternate Empty position of waterlevel switch 69 (shown in Full position in Figure 4) to line L2. Theenergization of the selected water ll solenoid 66 or 67 causes water toenter the combination unit until a predetermined water level is reachedwithin that unit to actuate water level switch 69 into the Full positionas shown in Figure 4.

At this time drive motor 74 and timer motor 10 are energized fromneutral line N through water level switch 69 and line L2. Drive motor74, as energized through its starting winding, immediately starts theagitation of the clothes within the combination unit. When motor 74reaches a predetermined speed, the centrifugal switch 73 switches intothe alternate position from that shown in Figure 4 but as switch 60 isin its intermediate position, no additional circuits are energized atthis time. Timer motor 10, in parallel with drive motor 74, causes'innershaft 25 and outer shaft 26 to rotate their respective cams in unison ina counter'clockwise direction past the Start reference line (Figure 4).This rotation of shaftsZS and 26 produces an eiect similar to thatobtained by moving the developments of each of the respective camstowards the left past its follower as diagrammatically illustrated inthe central portion of Figure 4.

The termination of the ten minute wash period initiates a two minutedrain period in which contacts 58a and'58c break and assume anintermediate position while switches 59 and 61 move from theirintermediate'positions into positions in which contacts 5 9b and 59e andcontacts 61b and 61C are respectively made. This causes drain solenoid71 to be energized through switch 59 while connecting a. parallelcircuit around water level `switch `69 to mainydrive motor 74 and Ytimermotor 10 energized through 5 -Svi/'itch 61 while the washing Huid isbeing drained kfrom 7the machine.

At the termination `of the -two minute drain period, contacts `691; and60C make an electrical connection 'causing the energization of spinsolenoid 72 through those contacts and centrifugal switch 73 which ismaintained jin the alternate position from that shown in Figure 4 by theenergized motor 74. As previously stated, the ve'nergr'zation of spinsolenoid 72' releases the brake on the `rotatable tub within .themachine to permit that tub to fcentrifugally extract the iiuids fromwithin the fabrics by a "high speed rotation of the tub.

VThe three minute spin period is followed by `a two nninute rinse periodin which contacts 581) and 58C Contact bach other to provide for theenergization of warm water 'fill solenoid 67. Note that this circuit iscompleted regardless ofthe position of switch 68. Drain solenoid 71 isof course de-energized by switch 59 to permit the tilling `of the tubwithin the unit. Switch 60 again assumes its "intermediate position whencontacts 60b and 60C are broken to `de-energize spin solenoid 72 topermit normal agitation of the fabrics during this rinse period. Switch61 also assumes an intermediate position during Vthe -two minute rinseperiod and relinquishes control over drive motor 74 and timer motor 10to water level switch 68 lwhich energizes these respective motors when apredetermined water level is reached to throw switch 69 -into `the Fullposition shown on Figure 4.

`The two minute rinse period is followed by a two minute drain period inwhich all switches function as they did inthe iirst two minute drainperiod. Switch 58 Aassumes anintermediate position to de-energize thewater ll solenoids `66 land 67 while switch 59 energizesdrain solenoidtopermit an external drain valve (not shown) to open and drain thecombination unit. Atennediate position during the two minute drainperiod jwhile switch 61 again provides an electrical connection betweenits contacts 61b and -61c for `an energizing circuit for drive motor 74and timer motor 10 while water level switch 69`is in the Empty positionduring the drain A period. A

The two minute drain period is followed by a three minute spin period inwhichonly switch 60 changes posiltion to `energize spinsolenoid 7-2Vthrough contacts 6017 A 'and 60C.

-Inthe'illustrated embodiment, this drain period is fob lowed by a twominute rinse period, another two minute drain period and a four minutespin period which completes the washing operation and places the fabricsin a damp dry condition preparatory to the drying operation. Theselatter wash periods are controlled in a manner similar to the operationof the earlier rinse, drain and spin periods as is apparent from Figure4. The washing operation is completed upon the termination of the fourminute spin period. At this point switch 58 breaks the ll solenoidcircuits by assuming an intermediate position which is maintainedthroughout the following drying operation.

At the beginning of the drying operation the highest peripheral portionof cam 43 causes contacts 60a and 60e to complete that portion of thedrying circuit in series with the parallel circuits containing watercondenser solenoid 76 and heater relay coil 75 which are energized whenthe respective switches 62 and 63 are closed by the actions of cams 46and 4-7. Heater relay coil 75 moves its armature to close relay switches79 and 80 to energize heating element 77 through lines L1 and L2.

In the embodiment of Figure 4 the moisture evaporated from the fabricswithin the combination unit will be condensed on the water filmcondenser underthe control of solenoid 76. It should be noted that drainsolenoid 71 remains energized through contacts 59a and 59C during .thedrying cycle while water condenser solenoid 76 is energized in order toempty the condensing iluid and condensate from the combination unit. Tomain- Switch 60 remains `in `its infao shown `in Figure r4.

Itain drive motor `'74 and timer lrnoto'r 1U fenergized during thedrying period when 'there is .ino 'water within the combination unit, anenergizing circuit through fcontacts `61a and 61e is completed betweenline -N and line L2 `during the drying operation. While timer motor 10slowly advances all cams into their respective cam followers, drivemotor 74 constantly tumbles the fabrics 'by means of suitable mechanism(not shown) :during 'the evaporation Vof the moisture from the `fabricsfby heating unit 77. A

Five minutes prior to the termination of Athe drying operation contacts6311 `and `63c break to de-energize lheater relay coil 7'5 and isolateheating `element 77 from lines L1 and L2. As no other switches are movedduring the following tive minute interval, the vapor 'condensing actionof the water iilm condenser `continues -while the tumbling clothes cooldown for handling by the operator at the end of the drying operation.4At -th'e termination of the iive minute cool-down periodswitc'hes -53et seq. assume their intermediate positions de-ene'rgizing drive motor74, timer motor 10 and all energized solenoids. This completes thedrying cycle and 'the clothes are now ready for removal from themachine.

Referring particularly to 4the application of my novel `timer control tothe illustrative circuit described, it may be `noted from Figure 2 thata manual rotation of either `the drier knob 32 or the washer knob 34`will produce a like rotation of inner shaft 25 and Vouterconcentricshaft 26 by reason of friction clutch spring 35. ASuch a rotation willmove all cams in unison past their `respective cam followers and willcause the `combination unit to function as if the cams were moved tosuch various stages of the fabric treatment cycle byl timer motor 10.

Consequently, it should be apparent that the unit may be Vstarted at anypoint in `either of the wash orfdry periods and that the wash cycle maybe entirely eliminated `by the proper rotation of the control structure`28 `as 'an integral unit. Manipulation of the knob structure 128 inunison does not, however, produce any relative variations between theactuation of the 4washing and 'drying operations.

Referring now to the plan view of the combination knob 34 carries on itsouter flange 81 indicia "82 corresponding to the various stages of Athewash periods as Indicia `82 areconstructed onknob 34 so as to passreference arrow 33 on cabinet 22 during the rotation of knob 34. Washerknob 34 also carries on its upper surface 84 surrounding drier knob 32indicia 85 corresponding to the stages of the drying cycle asillustrated in Figure 4. Drier knob 32 carries on its upper surface 86reference arrow 87 to indicate relative movement between knob 32 andknob 34 as well as the duration of the preset drying period.

Thus as knob structure 28 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewedin Figure l, washing indicia 82 moves relative to reference arrow 83 toindicate various stages of the washing operation. A rotation of Washknob 34 eliminates the entire washing operation and moves all washcontrol cams through the washing cycles to the beginning of the dryingcycles so that numeral 0 of indicia 85 is opposite reference arrow 83. Arotation of knob 34 through a smaller arc will eliminate that portion ofthe washing cycle which passes arrow 83.

To obtain a drying period of maximum timed duration, reference arrow 87on knob 32 must be turned from its position in Figure 1 to a position inwhich it is opposite the numeral 8i) appearing in indicia 85 on washknob 34. This adjustment will align the wash and dry cams as shown inFigure 4. The rotation of knob 32 relative to knob 34 is achieved bygrasping knob 34 and .turning knob 32 clockwise (Figure 1) until arrow87 is opposite numeral 80 in drying indicia 85. Thus as preset for themaximum drying period and turned posite arrow 87. -In the position shownin Figure l the drying period has been reduced to zero so that thecombination washer-drier unit will terminate its operation immediatelyfollowing the end of the washing operation.

'Note that regardless of the duration of either of the wash or'dryperiods or the initial positioning of reference arrow 87, the entireunit will be shut down when arrow 87 is aligned with stationary arrow83.

With a control as that embodied in this invention the washing operationmay be initiated at any stage during the entire programmed washing cycleor may be entirely eliminated. The drying operation may also be variedbyrnovement of knob 32 relative to knob 34 so as to permit drier cams'46and 47 to actuate their respective switches 62 and '63 sooner than if norelative movement had taken place between knobs 32 and 34. In effeet,then, the movement of knob 32 relative to knob 34 subtracts time fromthe beginning of the drying cycle. If enough time is subtracted from thedrying cycle, there `will be no drying period and the position of theknobs 32 and 34 with respect to each other will be as that of Figure 1.Y j

From this it can be seen that once the operator has preset the relativepositions of knobs 32 and 34 with respect toreach other for the properdried duration and has initiated the washing operation in the desiredoperating point'of the washing cycle, the operator may place soiled jjclothes-in a machine utilizing this control and leave them under thecontrol of the combination unit until the fabrics are completely washed,rinsed and dried.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No.

.457,958, led September 23, 1954, and now abandoned.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed,these are used in a 1 generic and descriptive sense only, and not forpurposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts, aswell as the substitution of equivalents are con- 8 templated, ascircumstances may suggest or render expedient,'without departing fromthe spirit or scope of this invention as further defined in thefollowingclaims. Y

Iclaim: i 1. In a combination Washer-drier adaptedrto be` programmedlthrough washing operations and drying'operations, a first shaft in theform of a sleeve, a second shaft mounted in and concentricallyto saidfirst shaft-with an extension projecting beyond said first shaft,coupling means for driving said first and second shaftsfin unison andfor permitting selected manual relative rotation therebetween, drivemeans for rotating one of said shafts and indirectly driving the otherof said shafts through said coupling means, drier circuit means forcontrolling the drying operations, first and second switch means forcontrolling said drier circuit means, cam means afiixed directly only tosaid first shaft for controlling the washing operations and first switchmeans, second cam means affixed directly only to said extension of saidsecond shaft projecting beyond said first shaft for controlling saidsecond switch means, and means including a manually operated member-foradjusting the angular relationship of said shafts to vary the length ofthe drying operation.

, 2. In a combination washer-drier, a drier heater for drying clothes,circuit means for energizing said drier heater, a first switch in saidcircuit means for initiating a drierheating period, a second switch insaid heater circuit for terminating the drier heating period, twoconcentric shafts, coupling means for driving said shafts in unison inthe same direction and for permitting selected manual relative rotationtherebetween, drive means for rotating one of said shafts and indirectlydriving the other of said shafts through said coupling means, meansaixed directly only on one of said shafts for operating said firstswitch, means aixed directly only on the other of said shafts foroperating said second switch, and means including a manually operablemember for adjusting the angular relationship of said shafts to vary thelength of the drier heating period.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,881,609 Bracken Apr,`14, 1959

